Health Science Training
Dental Assistant
Classes Start 1/21! Get in touch today!
Shine in Your Career with Centura College’s Dental Assistant Program
Are you curious about becoming a Dental Assistant? Centura College’s comprehensive Dental Assistant Diploma program equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to excel in this rewarding field.
- Diploma
- Program length: 12 months
- Day courses: between 8:30am – 4:30pm
- Night courses: between 4:30pm – 11:30pm
Become a dental assistant
A Clean Pathway to Success
Prepare for a dynamic role in a dental office with Centura College’s curriculum. As a Dental Assistant, you’ll perform a variety of functions, including assisting the Dentist during chairside procedures, processing X-rays, preparing dental instruments for patient treatment, and educating patients on oral hygiene and care.
Understanding the Role of a Dental Assistant
Our Dental Assistant training program hones your expertise in laboratory duties including:
- Creating temporary crowns
- Dentures and bridges
- Other dental products
Additionally, you’ll learn office functions like:
- Scheduling appointments
- Receiving patients
- Processing payments and bills
- Ordering supplies
Explore a World of Career Opportunities
A career as a Dental Assistant can be incredibly rewarding. Dentists and patients alike rely on Dental Assistants for efficient office operations and smooth chairside procedures. In Virginia and across the United States, the job market for Dental Assistants offers numerous growth and employment opportunities according to the U.S. Bureau of National Labor Statistics, with job outlook growing at a faster than average rate of 7% from 2022 to 2032.
Program Duration and Content
Dental Emergency Management
Dental Psychology
Dental Radiology
Dental Specialties
Dental Emergency Management
- Obstructed airways (choking
- Unconscious patients
- Chest pain, stroke and breathing problems
- Allergic reactions, seizures, and diabetic emergencies
- How to measure blood pressure, temperatures, pulse, and respirations
- Infant, child and adult CPR with AED certification
Dental Psychology
- Communication skills for patient interaction
- Approaches to patients with specific psychiatric and medical conditions
- Knowledge and sensitivity required for diverse patient scenarios
Dental Radiology
- Proper utilization of dental X-ray film and the X-ray machine
- Film processing procedure
- Principles of intraoral/extraoral radiography
- How to obtain radiographs
- Performance of digital radiograph
Dental Specialties
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Endodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Oral surgery
Financial Aid: Your Ticket to Education
We understand that money can be a big concern when it comes to getting an education, but we’re here to help. We offer financial assistance programs for eligible students.
Before you take that next step of enrolling, we strongly recommend first scheduling a meeting with one of our Financial Aid Advisors. They will guide you through all the different financial aid options available. Plus, they’ll lend a hand in filling out your applications.
Career Support: Navigating Your Path to Success
We want to see you reach your career goals after you graduate from the dental assistant training program. Our Career Services Department is here to lend a hand to current students and graduates in need of job placement support. The department provides services like resume writing, polishing up your interviewing skills, and assisting you through your job searching.
Success Stories
“I know my students on a personal level. I know their stories individually, why they’re here, what they want to do…I just love to see people win.”
– Tiffany Brent, Dental Assisting Instructor
Explore Centura Chesapeake Campus: Where Your Dreams Take Shape
The Dental Assistant program is offered at our campus in Chesapeake, Virginia. The campus consists of a 27,000-square-foot facility across two buildings with various amenities, including Wi-Fi, computer labs, lecture halls, and specialized labs for hands-on training. Centura College has a long history of career training since 1969, committed to providing students with educational tools and support.
Enroll with Ease
Starting your journey at Centura College is simple.
Ready to jumpstart your career in the dentistry industry? Apply now for our Dental Assistant program! For more information about our skilled trades programs, feel free to contact our campus offices
*Applicants must meet admission requirements. Acceptance into the program is not guaranteed.
We also offer financial aid and scholarships to those who qualify. For any questions or assistance, please contact us at 877-523-9528.
Program Requirements
Students enrolling in the Dental Assistant program need to meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 or older or have an approved cosigner if under 18
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Have a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport
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